"The Center for Performing Arts will increase Western’s educational offerings and provide Macomb with a state-of-the-art music, dance and theater production facility," Quinn said at the funding announcement. "This is an investment in the school’s future."


According to current plans, the $71.8 million CPA will feature a 1,400-seat proscenium theatre auditorium with two balconies, a 250-seat thrust stage and a more intimate 150-seat studio theatre. A number of spaces including dance, music and theatre rehearsal studios, a VIP area, green rooms, dressing rooms, a scenery design workshop, costume shop, box office and administrative offices will further support the performance art programs. The CPA design is also on target for LEED Silver certification.

"We are elated that Gov. Quinn has released the full funding for the construction of The Center for Performing Arts in Macomb," said WIU President Jack Thomas in a release. "We are excited about beginning construction on this new facility that will benefit our students, faculty and staff, as well as the region.”

"This is a moment that will change the history of the College of Fine Arts and Communication, Western Illinois University and arts across the region,” added Billy Clow, College of Fine Arts and Communication dean. “The CPA will provide an outstanding space for our students and faculty, and will serve as a cultural center for the region. We are…thankful to Gov. Quinn and the State of Illinois for their support for this landmark project.”

Work on the CPA is also anticipated to benefit the Macomb community and surrounding region. "The Center for Performing Arts project will create hundreds of construction jobs over two and a half years,” Capital Development Board Director Jim Underwood said in a statement, “and we look forward to working with the skilled trades people that will make this marvelous facility a reality.”

The Illinois Board of Higher Education first recommended a $22.5 million appropriation for construction of the facility in 2002. In 2006, the Capital Development Board and WIU officials selected the center’s design team, and the final concept was finalized two years later. Though the university hosted a ceremonial groundbreaking in 2011, construction will likely begin in earnest in late 2014 or early 2015, following the selection of a construction manager. The facility is slated to celebrate its grand opening in the spring semester of 2018.

Cannon Design of Chicago served as the Architect of Record for the CPA project, and Pelli, Clarke, Pelli of New Haven, Conn. provided additional design expertise. Theatre Projects Consultants of Norwalk, Conn. and Kirkegaard Assoc. of Chicago provided theatrical and A/V and acoustical services. Affiliated Engineers Inc. of Madison, Wis. and David Mason Assoc. and Thornton Thomasetti Inc., both of Chicago, comprise the project’s engineering team.

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If the state voters approve a $750 million referendum on borrowing for construction at New Jersey colleges and universities, projects would require a 25 percent match by the schools, increasing the value of investment to $1 billion. If voters pass the referendum, it would be New Jersey’s single largest financial commitment to higher education since a 1988 referendum of $350 million.

In order to get voter support, the “Building Our Future” coalition is kick starting a campaign to push for approval.

If the referendum passes, coalition leaders say as many as 10,000 construction jobs could be created in addition to long-term opportunities in New Jersey.

Although the economy is still getting back on its feet, senate president Stephen Sweeney said that passing the referendum “…is something we can’t afford not to do.”

Voters are in agreement so far as results from a Rutgers-Eagleton Poll issued recently noted that 62 percent of likely voters support the bond proposal, up from 56 percent a month ago. Only 27 percent of voters opposed, while 11 percent were unsure at the time.

“As we get closer to the election, support for the higher education bond seems to be solidifying, reflecting the lack of vocal opposition so far,” said political scientist David Redlawsk, director of the Rutgers-Eagleton Poll in a statement.

The referendum does have some restrictions, which will result in only certain higher education projects to receive funding.

The measure dedicates $300 million for the public research universities at Rutgers, New Jersey Institute of Technology and Rowan University. The eight state colleges and universities will be allocated $247.5 million, while two-year community colleges will receive $150 million and private institutions will be funded $52.5 million.

While the referendum seems steep at $750 million, it still will not be enough to cover all the “wish list” items that schools were asked to propose — they came in at a total of $6 billion.

Some may be wary to borrow such a large portion of funds, but others look at the referendum as a step in the right direction.

“This we all view as an investment, said assembly speaker Shelia Oliver in a statement. “This is going to enable our state to generate more revenue and to broaden revenue streams.”

The funding will also help to give students a better chance at receiving a high-quality education in New Jersey.

“It’s about New Jersey kids who are coming out of high school knowing they can receive the top-notch, 21st century preparation in our colleges,” said president of Rutgers, Robert L. Barchi in a statement.

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